Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky has returned Poland’s highest state honor, after the Polish president stripped him of the award as a politically charged dispute over World War II history resurfaced. Ukrainians believed the order “was meant for the Ukrainian People and our army,” Zelensky wrote in a social media post explaining the gesture. “Today, I sent the Order back to the President of Poland. I believe the future will confirm the respect Ukrainians deserve.” The message published on X is accompanied by photos of the Polish order and a postal receipt that it was about to be mailed to the Polish presidential office.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/20/europe/zelensky-returns-poland-honor-latam-intl
As the time ticked away at the end of Spain vs. Cape Verde, nerves understandably reached their natural crescendo. The giants of the sport tried to force the issue and anxiously pushed for what they felt was rightly theirs while the brave underdogs valiantly defended as if their lives were on the line. When referee Adham Makhadmeh blew his whistle confirming the shocking 0-0 draw, Mercedes-Benz Stadium burst with elation at Cape Verde’s jubilant success: The minnows pulled it off. David had bloodied Goliath. The entire world seemed to celebrate the moment – everyone, that is, except for La Roja and its fans. What will surely be one of the great moments in this World Cup was the result of a bit of luck and a lot of heroic defending, sure, but much of the blame – or credit depending on where you’re standing – lays at the feet of the Spanish contingent.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/21/sport/spain-world-cup-ambitions-cape-verde
US President Donald Trump deepened his feud with Italian counterpart Giorgia Meloni on Saturday, doubling down on claims that she insisted on a photo with him at the G7 summit in France this week. “Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni asked, over and over, for a picture with me during the G-7 meeting in France,” Trump wrote on social media of a leader who has been a key European ally. He claimed that Meloni’s popularity was plummeting, suggesting it was a result of her refusing to help the US in its conflict against Iran.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/19/politics/italy-trump-meloni-tajani
“Mr. Money is a powerful gentleman,” said the 17th century Spanish poet Francisco de Quevedo. Spain is certainly no stranger to corruption, which has claimed plenty of political careers in recent decades. The latest in deepening jeopardy is current Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who’s led the country for nearly eight years and has become one of the few European leaders to persistently and openly criticize the Trump administration – over Gaza, the Iran war and tariffs.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/21/europe/spanish-pm-wife-corruption-probe-intl
With an agreement signed and further talks set to commence, the US war with Iran is at a halt, at least for now, and President Donald Trump is telling Americans they have won. “’YOU’RE WELCOME!” Trump wrote on Thursday in a post on his social media platform, where he also ticked through benefits of his memorandum of understanding to keep negotiating with Iran for the next 60 days. “OIL IS FLOWING, IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON (THE WORLD WILL BE SAFE!), THE STOCK MARKETS ARE ROARING, JOBS ARE AT RECORDS, AND PRICES ARE DROPPING (AFFORDABILITY!). OUR COUNTRY IS STRONG, SAFE, AND RESPECTED LIKE NEVER BEFORE,” Trump said.
https://edition.cnn.com/2026/06/21/politics/us-iran-war-cost-trump-vis